internal revenue

American  

noun

1. the revenue of a government from any domestic source, usually considered to be any source other than customs.

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internal revenue British  

noun

1. government income derived from taxes, etc, within the country

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Etymology

Origin of internal revenue

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Dock’s 1894 certificate, signed by a collector of internal revenue in Portland, Ore., lists his occupation as a cook, and his complexion as “dark.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2025

The internal revenue commissioner testified that the late E.W.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2021

The group was referring to a 1985 amendment to the internal revenue code permanently barring a public officer convicted of a tax crime from voting and running in any election.

From Reuters • Dec. 2, 2021

In 1791, Congress passed a measure taxing distilled spirits; it was the first internal revenue act in U.S. history.

From Washington Times • Mar. 3, 2021

Internal Revenue Taxes.—The second important source of federal income is excise taxes, or what are popularly known as internal revenue duties, that is, taxes on commodities produced in the United States.

From Government in the United States National, State and Local by Garner, James Wilford